Machine counterweight installation and removal

Abstract

A counterweight removal and installation system for a counterweight attached to a frame of the machine is provided. The counterweight removal and installation system includes a lever member having a first end and a second end. The lever member is rotatably coupled to the frame at the first end. The first end is positioned below a center line of the counterweight and the second end positioned above the counterweight. The counterweight removal and installation system further includes an arm coupled to the lever member and transversely extending thereof, the arm positioned above the counterweight. The counterweight removal and installation system further includes an end of a first flexible connection member attached at the second end of the lever member. The counterweight removal and installation system further includes a second flexible connection member provided between the arm and the counterweight.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A counterweight removal and installation system for a counterweight attached to a frame of the machine, the counterweight removal and installation system comprising:
 a lever member having a first end and a second end, the lever member is rotatably coupled to the frame at the first end, the first end positioned below a center line of the counterweight and the second end positioned above the counterweight;   an arm coupled to the lever member and transversely extending thereof, the arm positioned above the counterweight;   a first terminal end of a first flexible connection member attached at the second end of the lever member, the first flexible connection member configured to apply a load at the second end of the lever member; and   a second flexible connection member provided between the arm and the counterweight.   
     
     
         2 . The counterweight removal and installation system of  claim 1 , further including a base plate rigidly secured to the frame of the machine and the lever member rotatably coupled to the base plate at the first end. 
     
     
         3 . The counterweight removal and installation system of  claim 2 , wherein the base plate is disposed between the counterweight and the frame of the machine. 
     
     
         4 . The counterweight removal and installation system of  claim 1 , wherein the machine includes an implement system and another terminal end of the first flexible connection member is attached to the implement system. 
     
     
         5 . The counterweight removal and installation system of  claim 4 , wherein the implement system includes a boom and the another terminal end of the first flexible connection member is attached to the boom. 
     
     
         6 . The counterweight removal and installation system of  claim 1 , wherein the implement system including, a boom pivotally connected to the frame. 
     
     
         7 . The counterweight removal and installation system of  claim 4 , wherein the first and the second flexible connection members are cables. 
     
     
         8 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the second flexible connection member includes a first terminal end and a second terminal end. 
     
     
         9 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the first terminal end of the second flexible connection member is coupled to the arm. 
     
     
         10 . The machine of  claim 1 , wherein the second terminal end of the second flexible connection member is coupled to the counterweight. 
     
     
         11 . A machine comprising:
 a frame;   a lifting and load-carrying implement system provided at a front end of the frame;   a counterweight provided at a rear end of the frame; and   a counterweight installation and removal system including:
 a lever member having a first end and a second end, the lever member is rotatably coupled to the frame at the first end, the first end positioned below a center line of the counterweight and the second end positioned above the counterweight; 
 an arm coupled to the lever member and transversely extending thereof, the arm positioned above the counterweight; 
 a first terminal end of a first flexible connection member attached at the second end of the lever member, the first flexible connection member configured to apply a load at the second end of the lever member; and 
 a second flexible connection member provided between the arm and the counterweight. 
   
     
     
         12 . The machine of  claim 11 , wherein the counterweight installation and removal system further comprise a base plate secured to the frame of the machine and the lever member rotatably coupled to the base plate at the first end. 
     
     
         13 . The machine of  claim 12 , wherein the base plate is disposed between the counterweight and the frame of the machine. 
     
     
         14 . The machine of  claim 11 , wherein the implement system including:
 a boom operatively connected to the frame at the front end thereof;   a stick operatively connected to the boom; and   a bucket operatively connected to the boom, wherein the first flexible connection member provided between the second end of the lever member and the boom.   
     
     
         15 . The machine of  claim 11 , wherein the first and the second flexible connection members are cables. 
     
     
         16 . The machine of  claim 11 , wherein the second flexible connection member includes a first terminal end and a second terminal end. 
     
     
         17 . The machine of  claim 16 , wherein the first terminal end of the second flexible connection member is coupled to the arm. 
     
     
         18 . The machine of  claim 16 , wherein the second terminal end of the second flexible connection member is coupled to the counterweight. 
     
     
         19 . A method of removing a counterweight of a machine having a frame, a lifting and load-carrying implement system provided at a front end of the frame and the counterweight provided at a rear end of the frame, the method comprising steps of:
 providing a lever member having a first end and a second end, the lever member is rotatably coupled to the frame of the machine at the first end, the first end positioned below a center line of the counterweight and the second end positioned above the counterweight;   providing an arm is rigidly supported between the first end and the second end of the lever member and transversely extending thereof, the arm positioned above the counterweight;   attaching a first flexible connection member between the second end of the lever member and the implement system;   attaching a second flexible connection member between the arm and the counterweight;   loosening at least one mounting of the counterweight;   lowering the work implement to apply an upward pull on the counterweight via the first flexible connection member and the lever member;   removing the at least one mounting of the counterweight; and   raising the work implement to lower the counterweight via the first flexible connection member and the lever member.